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Test Results

The doctor or nurse will usually want to discuss the results of your tests at another appointment, which you will have to book. Sometimes, they may ask you to ring for the result, especially if the result is expected to be normal. It is very important to ensure that you have obtained your result as we do not routinely contact patients with abnormal results (contrary to popular belief) due to the workload and difficulties that this involves.

If the doctor/nurse has advised you to ring for your results, you may ring the surgery during normal opening hours from Monday to Friday. Please note you may still be requested to make an appointment to discuss your results.

Generally, only test results will be available if the test was requested by the surgery.

Clinics & Services

Family Planning

The practice offers the full range of family planning services, including emergency contraception such as the “morning after” pill, diaphragms, coils, pills, injectables, implants and advice regarding condoms and sterilisation. These appointments are scheduled in the usual way during normal surgery hours.

Please see a doctor for a first visit for the contraceptive pill or if you need to change your prescription. Routine follow up for coil checks, pill-prescribing and Depo-Provera is offered by the practice nurse. Please speak to the doctor or nurse if you are planning a pregnancy.

If you wish to discuss male or female sterilization please ask for a double appointment.

Emergency Contraception

If you need emergency contraception please tell the receptionist who will arrange an urgent appointment. You will need to tell the receptionist what the appointment is for.

Cervical Smears

Appointments for smears can be made with the practice nurses. Smear appointments in normal surgery can also be made with the doctor.

Diabetic Clinic

This clinic is held on Wednesday afternoons with the support of a podiatrist, practice nurse and a GP. All patients with diabetes receive an annual invitation to attend this clinic as well as seeing their own doctor in between times.

Child Health and Immunisation

The Well Baby Clinic is hosted on Monday between 1.30pm and 3.30pm by the Health Visitors. Childhood immunisations are given by our Practice Nurses by appointment, according to the schedule of childhood vaccinations detailed below. The Health Visitors can be contacted on 0300 304 5076. The schedule for childhood examinations is as follows:

Maternity Care

The practice provides ante-natal and post-natal care. Delivery on the midwife led Maternity Unit at the Calderdale Royal Hospital will be possible for some women. Ante-natal clinics are held on Tuesdays by appointment and are run by Community Midwives. Post-natal checks at six weeks are arranged with a GP in normal surgery time.

Minor Surgery

Most doctors in the practice carry out minor surgical procedures in the surgery. Patients must be seen by a doctor before arrangements are made.

Influenza and Pneumococcal

Influenza immunisations are offered to at-risk patients annually (late autumn). Patients of all ages with asthma, diabetes, heart disease or any chronic chest disease should consider an annual influenza vaccination. All patients over 65 years and patients who are pregnat are also advised to have influenza immunisation. There is no need to wait for an invitation. Pneumococcal vaccination is also offered to patients over 65 years. This vaccine is only required once and gives lifetime protection.

Health Checks

For patients aged 16 to 75 years who have not attended within three years (or for over 75s, within one year) the practice offers an appropriate health check on request. Appointments for all health checks can be made with the practice nurses who are trained in health promotion and will concentrate on blood pressure, diet, weight, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, urine testing and blood tests for cholesterol where appropriate. Home visits can be arranged if it is necessary.

Intimate Examinations

The doctor or nurse may need to examine you. In accordance with NHS Calderdale policy, a chaperone is available if required. Please ask if you would prefer a chaperone to be present during an examination.

Smoking Cessation

Patients should access the specialist Yorkshire Smokefree service on 01422 262373.

Non-NHS Services

Most services we offer at Brig Royd Surgery are provided under our contract with the NHS and are free.

Some services are not included in the NHS contract and we charge for these.

Most forms for insurance companies, private sick notes and private health claims forms are in this category.

Please read your forms carefullyto check who is responsible for any charges.

Medical examinations which are not provided under the NHS also may attract a charge.

Travel Vaccinations

All patients requiring travel advice must make an appointment with the practice nurse prior to travel. The nurse will advise you of the schedule of recommended vaccinations and the costs involved. Please book your first travel appointment at least 8 weeks prior to your departure. Please note there is a national shortage of some travel vaccines and we may not be able to provide all the vaccinations you require. Details of alternative travel clinics will be provided.

N.B. Payment may be made by cash or cheque only. The surgery does not accept card payments.

If you are diagnosed with any of the following conditions,you are offered a structured review annually by appointment (usually with a practice nurse – unless arranged otherwise with your GP). You will need to make this routine appointment with reception:

‘Vascular’ diseases:

Ischaemic (coronary) heart disease eg. angina, or post heart attack.

Hypertension (raised blood pressure)

Peripheral vascular (arterial) disease

Stroke or TIA

‘Respiratory’ diseases:

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Asthma

COPD

We have made some changes:

1.Your review will be carried out by the Practice Nurse, followed by blood testing on the same visit ( if indicated).

2.You may not need to have blood testing every year e.g. lipids (cholesterol)*

3.All relevant reviews (e.g. asthma +and hypertension) will be carried out at the same visit.

4.Abnormal blood results (only) will be communicated to you, preferably by text. You are welcome to telephone us for results if you wish, in addition.

Why have we made these changes?

1.To reduce unnecessary visits to surgery for you (and us)

2.To reduce unnecessary blood testing (for you and the NHS)

3.To ensure our practice meets with current clinical guidelines

4.To ensure a clear review date is in place for yourselves and us

If you are Diabetic –you will be invited to Diabetes clinic in the usual way by post. Nurse will carry out any other relevant reviews at this appointment eg. COPD.

*Note: why have we reduced some blood testing ?

In some stable chronic disease e.g. hypertension, peripheral artery disease (but not if you already have a diagnosis of heart disease or stroke), we are interested in looking at future cardio-vascular disease risk for prevention purposes. We use a computerised tool called QRISK. This looks at several parameters including, age, sex, blood pressure, Body Mass Index, cholesterol readings, family history etc. The result indicates the percentage risk of developing a vascular problem such as heart attack or stroke over the next 10 ears.

This is more useful than looking at e.g. a cholesterol result in isolation. Year on year, QRISK results do not alter dramatically. Therefore, checking cholesterol annually may be excessive and not needed. NICE asks us to advise you when your QRISK result is equal or higher than 10%, so that we can offer statin treatment. We also screen for diabetes in vascular at risk patients every 2 years. Some drug treatments eg. Ramipril (ACE Inhibitor) or Indapamide, Bendroflumethazide (diuretic) require monitoring of kidney function every year. We will tailor your annual review plan to your own requirements. Respiratory conditions do not require blood testing.

The doctors and nurses.

Brig Royd Surgery.

September 2014.

Flu Immunisation

Vaccination is now by appointment only.

Please contact the surgery to book an appointment of you fall into the groups below.

We have good availability of vaccines.

National medical policy recommends flu vaccination to everyone age 65 and over, all pregnant women, carers and patients, including children, with certain medical conditions as listed below.

Chronic bronchitis or other chest problems

Some forms of heart disease

Drug treatments that lower immunity

Diabetes

Some progressive nervous system diseases

Severe kidney disease

Stroke and transient ischaemic attacks (TIA)

Severe liver disease

Asthma requiring the use of regular preventative (steroid) inhalers

National policy also recommends vaccination against pneumococcal and shingles for patients in certain age groups. You will be offered these vaccinations in accordance with national guidance.

If you are unsure about your need for vaccination please ring and speak to our Practice Nurses.

HEALTHY CHILDREN AGED 2 AND 3

The nasal spray, which NHS England provides to immunise healthy children aged 2 and 3, is now available. Parents are invited to book an appointment with the Practice Nurse for immunisation of their child/ren who fall in this age group.